The “string” plants look alike in a hanging basket, but they come from different families and want different things. String of pearls and string of bananas are both Curio, in the daisy family. String of hearts is a Ceropegia. String of turtles is a peperomia, and burro’s tail is a sedum.
The practical differences are light, how dry the soil should get, and pet safety. Match the plant to your window first.
5 trailing succulents at a glance
Descriptions are from NC State Extension and UW–Madison Extension.
| Plant | Leaf | Trailing length | Light | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| String of pearls (Curio rowleyanus) | Round, pea-sized, 6–8 mm (¼–⅓ in), with a translucent stripe | Spreads 30–91 cm (1–3 ft) | Bright, indirect | Dies back after a few years; restart from cuttings |
| String of bananas (Curio radicans) | Curved, banana-shaped, about 3 cm (1.2 in) long | Stems 30–91 cm (1–3 ft) | Bright, indirect; not full sun | Easy and fast growing |
| String of hearts (Ceropegia woodii) | Heart-shaped, silver-marbled, purple beneath | Hangs about 0.9 m (3 ft) | Bright; west or south window | Forms tubers (“beads”) on the stems |
| String of turtles (Peperomia prostrata) | Round, under 2.5 cm (1 in), patterned like a turtle shell | About 30 cm (12 in) | Bright, indirect; tolerates lower | Likes evenly moist soil and humidity |
| Burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum) | Plump, blue-green, overlapping, with a silver bloom | To 61 cm (24 in) | High light; at least partial sun | Leaves snap off at a touch |
String of pearls (Curio rowleyanus)
NC State and UW–Madison note it was recently moved from Senecio to Curio, so it is still often sold as Senecio rowleyanus. Its leaves are lime-green spheres, each with a translucent stripe. NC State explains that this “window” lets light into the leaf, and the round shape reduces water loss.
Light and temperature. NC State recommends bright, indirect light indoors. It suggests 21–27 °C (70–80 °F) in summer and 10–16 °C (50–60 °F) in winter. UW–Madison recommends a cool winter rest at 13–16 °C (55–60 °F).
Water. UW–Madison says to let the soil dry completely and water when the leaves start to look a little shrivelled. NC State warns against letting it dry out completely. Either way, the leaves are your signal, not the calendar. Overwatering causes root rot.
Pot and mix. UW–Madison recommends a shallow clay pot and a very well-drained cactus mix, or potting mix amended up to 1:1 with grit, sand or pumice.
Renewal. NC State says plants tend to die back after several years. Take 7.5–13 cm (3–5 in) stem cuttings and cover a few nodes with mix rather than trying to revive an old plant. UW–Madison names mealybugs and aphids as the pests to watch; see string of pearls mealybugs.
String of bananas (Curio radicans)
NC State describes a trailing succulent from southern Africa with banana-shaped leaves about 3 cm (1.2 in) long. Each has a translucent leaf window. It is also sold as string of fishhooks. Its stems reach 30–91 cm (1–3 ft).
NC State calls it easy, low maintenance and fast growing. Give it bright, indirect light that reaches the whole plant; it is not full-sun tolerant. Water only when the top half of the soil feels dry. Prune in spring or summer to keep it bushy, and root the trimmings as stem cuttings.
String of hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
NC State describes heart-shaped leaves, dark green marbled with silver above and purple beneath, on wiry stems that hang about 0.9 m (3 ft). Small tubers form along the stems between the leaves. NC State notes these root and produce a new plant where they touch soil.
Light. NC State recommends bright, indirect light. UW–Madison suggests a west or south window and notes that strong light gives darker leaves with clearer marbling.
Water. UW–Madison says it is easily killed by overwatering and tolerates dry soil better than soggy soil. Water only when the mix is dry. Give it a winter rest with less water, no fertilizer, and temperatures above 16 °C (60 °F).
Pot. Both sources say it does best crowded, so repot only when necessary.
NC State lists cultivars including ‘Silver Glory’ (silver-variegated leaves), ‘String of Arrows’ (pointed lime and silver leaves) and ‘Orange River’. UW–Madison describes C. woodii f. variegata with cream and pink leaves.
Read string of hearts soak and dry for watering, string of hearts propagation for the tuber method, and string of hearts yellow leaves if leaves fade. The string of hearts hub collects the rest.
String of turtles (Peperomia prostrata)
NC State describes tiny, round, succulent leaves marbled in darker green, silver or white, like a string of small turtle shells. It grows slowly, reaching about 30 cm (12 in).
Its care differs from the others here. NC State says it is native to the wet tropics of Ecuador and prefers evenly moist soil, though it can still suffer from overwatering. It likes average to higher humidity and a steady 20–24 °C (68–75 °F), away from cold drafts. It tolerates lower light, with less vivid leaves. Cultivars include ‘Pepperspot’ (red undersides) and ‘Silver Stripe’. See peperomia varieties for its relatives.
Burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum)
NC State describes trailing stems up to 61 cm (24 in), covered in overlapping, blue-green leaves dusted with a silvery bloom. The leaves break off when handled, so hang it where it will not be brushed. Cuttings and dropped leaves root easily.
It wants more light than the rest: NC State recommends a windowsill with at least partial sun, dry soil, fresh air and a shallow pot. Use tepid water, let the soil dry between waterings, and water less in winter. Feed lightly once or twice in the growing season. ‘Burrito’ has thick stems and plump, bluish-green leaves.
String of dolphins is not covered here: we did not find an extension or botanic garden profile for it.
Care they share
- Hang them. NC State and UW–Madison recommend hanging baskets or pots that let the stems trail.
- Drain fast. For string of pearls, bananas, hearts and burro’s tail, NC State and UW–Madison recommend a cactus mix or a well-drained mix with added sand, grit or perlite. String of turtles is the exception: it wants evenly moist soil.
- Do not overwater. NC State and UW–Madison name overwatering as the main risk for string of pearls, string of bananas and string of hearts.
- Check for mealybugs. UW–Madison names them for both string of pearls and string of hearts.
Pets
The ASPCA lists burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum) and trailing peperomia (Peperomia prostrata, string of turtles) as non-toxic to dogs and cats.
NC State lists string of pearls as toxic to people and pets: eating the leaves can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and the sap can irritate skin. It also lists string of bananas as toxic to people, pets and livestock. Symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and large amounts can cause irreversible liver disease. We did not find an ASPCA entry for string of hearts. Hang the Curio species out of reach of pets.
References
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Curio rowleyanus, Curio radicans, Ceropegia woodii, Peperomia prostrata, Sedum morganianum
- University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension, Susan Mahr: String of Pearls, Curio rowleyanus, String of Hearts, Ceropegia woodii
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Burro’s Tail, Trailing Peperomia